The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-10
KID MILLER'S LAST VICTIM.
The Minister to Bogota Taken In.
From the Neto York Times.


DR.. Valentine o. King, well-lnown
physician of San Antonio Tex, and the
present United States Minister to Bogota,
had a stirring experience with the skilled
and fascinating 'Kid" Miller, the famous
''bunco steerer," the former partner, of
Hungry Joen and ''Grand Central Pete :"
DR.. King is a very pleasant gentleman, "a
years old, and knows little about ther traps
laid for unwary strangers III GaotllftIff He
is at present on leave of absence on his way
to Washington to report to the President.
He arrived here on Monday last, on the Pa
cific Mail steamship Colon, from, AspinVall,
and put up at the Gilsey House. ~ - yA
About 9 o'clock Wednesday morning,
while strolling past the Fifth Avenue Hotel,
he was accosted by kid Miller, who
grasped him by the hand and appeared de-
lighted to see him.
'How are you, Dr. King?' he said warm
ly. Its a long time since l met you"
The doctor was surprised, yet pleased, at
the warmth of the greeting. kid" then
introduced himself as "Dick" Richardson, a
son Of j. w. Richardson, of the firm of
Richardson & May, commission merchants,
doing business ON Carondeet street, New
Orleans. DR.. King and Richardson had
been friends for a long time, although they
had not met for fifteen years. The doctor
knew that Richardson had several sons, one
of whom he was aware had settled in the
North after the war, and therefore the dip
lomat was thrown off his guard, and, com
pletely deceived by the kids" manner and
appearance, greeted him warmly as the son
of his old friend
They had drink together in a neighbor-
ing barroom and then the kid, " having en-
tirely gained his victims confidence, pro
ceeded to spread his net in the usual manner
He had rare luck in drawing two prizes in
an art lottery and had won two fine sets of
BancroftS History of the United States,
He was on his way to get the prizes when
he met the doctor. If the doctor would ac-
company him he would be gratified to make
him present of one of the sets. DR. King
said he had the books already in his library,
but he was induced to accompany his young
friend Richardson to Ill East Twentv-fifth
street He was there introduced to Harry
Stetson, the manager of the establishment
Stetson told the kid" that in addition to
the books he had won cash prize of $500,
but he could not get this money until he paid
in SlO0 for five tickets in the lottery. KID
regretted that lie had come without money,
and, turning to DIR. King, borrowed 500
from him, which he promised to repay as
soon as he got the prize cashed.
Then the "bunco" game was opened in
due form. kid" played and not only lost
the $500, but 500 more, at least so it was
made to appear to Dr. King. kid tried
to borrow $500 more from the doctor, but in
this was unsuccessful Then he slipped out
of the room, and when the doctor attempted
to follow him he was hindered by those in
the room, but he finally broke through the
obstructionistS and gained the street. There
he met Miller in front of the house and rated
him roundly as a thief and a scoundrel. The
''bunco" man took the rating good humor-
eddy, assured the doctor that he was entirely
mistaken, and if he would accompany him
to the StuItevant House. where he was
stopping, he would return him the money
he had borrowed. They started for the
Sturtevant House, but on the way Mil
Ter gave the old gentleman the slip and es-
capped.
The doctor did not report his experience
to the police, but in going about the city
kept his eyes open for his young friend.
Yesterday afternoon while the doctor was
in Tiffany's he saw Miller pass the store.
He Immediately went outside. As soon as
Miller saw him he took TO his heels, follow
cd by the doctor, "A colored porter from Tiff
fany's, and u crowd of excited pedestrians.
AT Sixteenth street and Sixth avenue Mil
Ter was captured and handed over to a
policeman. In his possession was found the
usual stock in trade of bunco steerer-a
bank note reporter, containing list of all
the bank officers in the country. When
Miller was brought before Justice
O'Reilly, at the jefferson Market Police
Court, he said that DIR. King was mistaken,
and that he had never seen that gentleman
before. The doctor was positive, however,
and Miller was committed for examination.
The magistrate was about to commit the
complainant to the house of detention to Sc
cure his appearance at the examination
when the doctor disclosed who he was and
gave his promise to appear. He was al
lowed to go. He said that he had wired
President Cleveland that he would be in
Washington Monday, but he would remain
in town to prosecute the swindler.